Despite zero Covid-19 cases, casinos at Cambodia’s borders struggle to reopen

Casino business operators at Cambodia’s borders face difficulties in reopening even though there have been zero new Covid-19 cases for three consecutive days in the Kingdom. Ros Phearun, deputy director-general at the Finance Ministry’s Financial Industry Department, told Khmer Times yesterday that casino operations have not been resumed as of yesterday, the third day of zero new Covid-19 cases, because of the condition of buildings. The casinos, which need to renovate the buildings due to the lack of maintenance, also face a labour shortage.

“I have noticed that some owners wish to resume their business operations, but it is still impossible because [their] facilities were closed down for a long time. They also need to hire people for work,” Phearun said.

Phearun also noted that operators of casinos in border areas, including Poipet and Bavet towns, have not applied to renew their licenses. However, some casinos in other regions have resumed their operations due to an uptick in tourism activities. Prime Minister Hun Sen, before his departure to the US for the US-Asean Summit in the US as the Asean Chair 2022, on May 12 and 13, said, “Today is the third day that Cambodia has no new cases of Covid-19 across the country.”

read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501073806/despite-zero-covid-19-cases-casinos-at-borders-struggle-to-reopen/